Electrical system



Nov. 10, 1942.

J. 5. SMITH EIAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 20, 1940 I ju /27075. 1/5702 6. 67722772 & F70 dlkzwsow Patented Nov. 10, 1942 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM John S. Smith, Hazel Crest, and Floyd Dawson, Chicago Heights, 111., assignors to David L.

Tressler, as trustee Application February 20, 1940, Serial No. 319,906

9 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to electrical systems and has more particular reference to an improved ignition system for internal combustion engines.

An important object of the invention is to provide an ignition system of the character mentioned, having improved sparking characteristics. Another object is to provide a system capable of delivering intensified sparks during predetermined or desired operating periods and at other times sparks of lesser intensity; a further object being to provide for the creation of sparking at a desired normal intensity during normal operation of the engine and for increasing spark intensity during periods of abnormal engine operation.

Another object is to provide a transformer having a plurality of low tension windings, each inductively coupled in substantially identical fashion with -a high tension winding, whereby the latter may be energized in rapidly pulsating manner by the successive activation of the low tension windings; a further object being to utilize such an induction coil in an ignition system whereby the successively energized low tension windings may be operated at a lower temperature than if a single low tension winding were employed; a further object being to utilize one low tension winding in the creation of sparks at some of the spark gaps of the system, and to utilize. another low tension winding for the creation of sparks at other spark gaps so that the disabling of one Winding will not entirely disable the system.

' Another object resides in providing means for connecting the low tension windings for simultaneous operation in parallel relationship for the purpose of intensifying the sparks produced; a further object being to provide for parallel operation of the low tension windings while the engine is being started.

' These and numerous other objects, advantages, andinherent functions of the invention will be apparent from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an ignition system embodying the present invention; and. I

.Figure 2 is a perspective view of a transformer forming a part of the system.

..To illustrate the invention, the drawing shows an ignition system comprising spark gaps H, which may be in the form of the usual plugs of an internal combustion engine (not shown), one side of the plugs being grounded, as at l3, on the frameof the engine. The other'side of the plugs H are: electrically connected each with a corresponding contact C of a timer l5, in which the contacts are circularly disposed in position to be successively engaged by a rotating contact arm J. The arm J is electrically connected to ground, as at ll, through the high tension winding IQ of a transformer F, so that a spark will be produced at each of the gaps successively as the contact member J engages the contacts 0, providing the winding l9 be energized at the instant of contact.

In order to energize the winding l9, means is provided for the purpose of inducing electrical potential in the winding when and as the contact member J engages each of the contacts C. To this end, the transformer F comprises a plurality of low tension windings 2 I each inductively coupled in substantially identical fashion with the winding I9, and while the invention is not necessarily limited to a pair of low tension windings, only two windings 2| are shown in the drawing.

The transformer F preferably comprises a core 41 of anysuitable or preferred form upon which the high potential winding I9 is arranged, preferably as a plurality of layers 49 suitably insulated from each other and from the core 41. A layer of insulation 5| is preferably applied upon the winding 49 and the low potential winding sections 2| are applied outwardly of said layer of insulation 5|. The sections 2| each comprise an electrical conductor 55 and 51. These conductors are arranged in parallel adjacent relationship and so wound together in place, as clearly i1- lustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. Each of the corresponding portions of the conductors 55, 51 occupies parallel adjacent positions, and the inductive relationship of both sections 2|, with respect to the high potential winding I9, is substantially identical. The conductors 55, 51 may be arranged to form a plurality of layers 59, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, each layer insulated from th other by insulation 60.

It will thus be seen that the winding sections 2| have substantial identical inductive relationship with the winding l9 and with each other. Consequently, the wave portions induced in the winding l9 by the winding 55 will be substantially identical with'the wave portion induced by the winding 51.

The windings 2| at one end are connected through a control switch 23 with one side of 'a battery 25, or other suitable power source, the other side of the source being preferably grounded as at 21.

The other ends of the windings 2| are connected each to the side of the power source remote from the switch 23 through separate circuits, each of which includes a breaker switch 29, the connection to the power source preferably being accomplished by grounding each winding 2 I, as at 3|, through the switches 29.

Means is provided for opening and closing the switches alternately, each switch being opened an instant before the other closes and remaining open until an instant after said other is reopened. This, as shown in the drawing, is accomplished by rotating cam means 33 which is drivingly connected with the rotating contact member J and proportioned to open the switches successively at the instant the member J engages successive contacts C.

The switches 29 comprise arms 34 pivoted as at 35 on a suitable support frame 36. The arms are preferably provided with means 3'! normally urging them toward switch closed positions, the cam means 33 being operative to press upon shoes 39 on the switch arms in order to open the switches at intervals. As an alternate arrangement, the switch could be normally held open and the cam formed to close the same at intervals. As shown, however, the biasing means 31 comprises leaf spring means connected to the frame 36 and to the arms in a manner yieldingly urging the same toward switch closed position. The frame 36 and the cam 33 ordinarily comprise grounded elements which are electrically connected with the grounded side of the power source 25. The stationary elements of the switches 29, therefore, may conveniently be connected electrically with the frame 38. It is necessary, however, to insulate the movable contacts of the switches 29 from the frame 36, and since the arms 34 and springs 31 may conveniently be utilized to form part of the circuits connecting the windings 2| with the switches 29, the pivots 35 are preferably formed as insulated pivots, the shoes 39 are preferably made of insulating material to insulate the cam 33 from the arm, and the springs 31 are mounted on the frame 36 by suitable insulated supports 4|.

As shown in the drawing, each of the springs 31 is electrically connected at one end on its corresponding arm 34 and at the other on a mounting strip 43 of electrical conducting material which is held by a stud G on a wall of the frame 36. The wall is formed with an opening receiving the stud which extends outwardly of the wall and forms a binding post for electrical connection with a conductor which extends to and is connected with one of the windings 2|. Suitable insulating means, shown as discs, may be used to insulate the studs and the mounting strips from the frame.

In order to minimize sparking at the breaker switches 29, each is provided with a condenser 6| connected in parallel relationship therewith, each condenser being connected on one side, preferably at the anchorage connection of the spring 31, on the mounting plate 43, and on the other, to the grounded frame 36.

The switch 23 controls the system and, when closed, conditions the same for operation. The switch 23 being closed, current flow successively through the low tension windings is effected upon closure of the switches 29. Since only one of the switches is allowed to be closed during a closure period, it will be seen that current flow is established and interrupted in each winding 2| before current flow is initiated in another winding. Upon interruption of current flow in each winding 2|, a corresponding high potential is developed in the winding i3, and since the cam 33 and timing member J are driven in timed relation, hi h potential is developed in the winding Hi each time the member J engages a contact C, and is made available to create a spark at the corresponding gap While I have shown tw'o windings 2| and associated breaker switches 29, serving six gaps each winding serving three gaps, it will be understood that more than two windings, each associated with a breaker switch, may be employed, each to serve any desired member of plugs; and it will be apparent also that since each of the windings serves only some of the gaps, each winding will enjoy a rest period of inactivity while the other winding or windings are active. It will be seen also that each condenser 6| enjoys a rest period while the winding with which it is connected is inactive. This is an important factor in the satisfactory operation of devices embodying the present invention, since there is a critical speed of operation of condensers in ignition systems beyond which operating characteristics are impaired, with resultant reduction of spark intensity at the gaps. Systems embodying multiple low tension circuits operating successively, fiaoh at a fraction of the speed at which a single low tension circuit would be required to operate in producing the same sparking speed, are able to maintain optimum sparking conditions at high speeds at which, in single circuit systems, spark intensity diminishes. The provision for successively resting the low tension circuits also increases condenser life and allows the windings to operate at lower temperature than single circuit systems.

The multiple circuit system of the present in.- vention, however, allows for the production of in tensified sparks at the gaps when desirable. Where two low tension windings are used, sparks having approximately twice normal current intensity can be produced at the gaps approximately three times normal spark intensity may be had where three windings are embodied. Sparking may thus be intensified by connecting the coil circuits together between the coils and the breaker switches by suitable switch means 53. This connection places all windings 2| in circuit with all switches 29 sothat the inductive effect of all coils is applied simultaneously on the coil l9, thus increasing the power delivered therethrough to the gaps The switch means may be connected for closure, for example, during the starting of the engine with which the system is associated, or the switch may be arranged for closure while the engine is running, if desired. If intense sparks are desired during the engine starting period, the switch means 63 may be controllingly connected with the engine starter, preferably to hold the switch means closed only during the starting period, the switch opening, as under the influence of spring means as soon as the engine has started.

In the event that one of the coils 2| should fail in service, thus preventing the application of sparking potential at the gaps served by the coil, the switch means 63 may be closed to thereby allow the remaining coil or coils 2| to serveall of the gaps. Consequently, it is preferable to provide switch means 63 capable of manual operation to make full use of the practical advantages of the multiple circuit system. Where it is desired to intensify sparking during the engine starting period by placing the switch means 63 under the control of the engine starter, a manual switch means 65 may be connected in parallel with the switch means 63 to allow the circuits to be interconnected at will while the engine is in operation.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of exemplifying our invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. An electrical system comprising a plurality of substantially identical windings, means to energize said windings comprising circuit means for connecting said windings in parallel with an electrical power source, and a periodically operable circuit breaker connected in series with each winding, said circuit breakers being successively operable to control delivery of electrical power successively to said windings for the activation thereof and to prevent power delivery to one winding while power is being delivered to another, distributor winding means having substantially identical inductive relationship with each of said windings to develop induced power impulses successively in said winding means in response to the activation of said windings, and timer switch means to connect said winding means successively with a plurality of work circuits in timed relationship with the development of said power impulses in said winding means so that each work circuit may be energized in succession in response to the delivery of power to said windings.

2. An electrical system comprising a transformer having a distributor coil and a plurality of windings each having substantially identical inductive relationship with the coil, a timer switch operable to connect the distributor coil successively with a plurality of sparking circuits, a breaker switch for controlling power delivery to each of said windings, and means for actuating the breaker switches successivelyand in timed relationship with said timer switch.

3. An electrical system comprising a plurality of windings, means to energize said windings in succession from an electrical power source, distribution means comprising a coil inductively coupled with each of said windings, and means to connect the coil successively with a plurality of work circuits whereby to supply'energy to some of the circuits through one of said windings and to supply energy to other circuits through another of said windings, and means for interconnecting said windings for simultaneous activation from said power source, whereby all of the working circuits may be energized through all of the windings. v

4. An electrical system comprising a plurality of windings, means to energize said windings in succession from an electrical power source, distribution means comprising a coil inductively coupled with each of said windings, said windings each comprising substantially identical coil sections, each having substantially identical inductive relationship with the coil whereby to energize the coil in substantially identical fashion from the power source through each winding.

5. An electrical system for internal combustion engines, comprising a transformer having coil means adapted for connection through timer switch means successively with the sparking circuits of the engine, said transformer having a plurality of separate low tension windings, each having substantially identical inductive relationship with said coil means, a breaker switch for each of said low tension windings for successively connecting each with and disconnecting each from a power source, and means operable in timed relation with said timer switch means for actuating said breaker switches successively to energize said low tension windings.

6. An electrical system comprising a distribution coil and a plurality of substantially identical windings comprising separate conductors arranged in parallel side-by-sid'e relationship and disposed in turns inductively coupled with the coil whereby the inductive relationship between the coil and one winding is substantially identical to the inductive relationship between the coil and another winding, the turns ofyone winding being interspersed between the turns of another winding, and means to energize said windings in succession from a common power source.

7. An electrical system comprising a distribution coil and a plurality of substantially identical windings comprising separate conductors arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship and disposed in turns inductively coupled with the coil whereby the inductive relationship between the coil and one winding is substantially identical to the inductive relationship between the coil and another winding, the turns ofone winding being interspersed between the turns of another winding, and selectively operable rneans for connecting said coils for simultaneous activation and for conditioning the same for separate successive activation from a common power source.

8. An electrical system for internal combustion engines comprising a transformer having a distribution coil adapted for connection through timer switch means successively with the sparking circuits of the engine, said transformer having a plurality of separate low tension windings comprising separate conductors arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship and disposed in turns inductively coupled with the coil whereby the inductive relationship is substantially identical between the coil and each winding, the turns of one winding being interspersed between the turns of another, and breaker switch means for alternately connecting each winding with and disconnecting each winding from a power source in timed relation with the operation of said timer switch means for actuating said breaker switches successively to energize said low tension windings. 9. An electrical system for internal combustion engines comprising a transformer having a distribution coil adapted for connection through timer switch means successively with the sparking circuits of the engine, said transformer having a plurality of separate low tension windings comprising separate conductors arranged in parallel side-by-side relationship and disposed in turns inductively coupled with the coil whereby the inductive relationship is substantially identical between the coil and each winding, the turns of one winding being interspersed between the turns of another, breaker switch means for alternately connecting each winding with and disconnecting each winding from a power source in timed relation with the operation of said timer switch means for actuating said breaker switches successively to energize said low tension windings, and switch means operable to interconnect the windings for simultaneous activation under the control of said breaker switch means.

JOHN S. SMITH. FLOYD DAWSON. 

